Buddha knows - An interview with
Abbot Dhammajayo on Buddhism
by Monica Øien
“Prince Siddharta, as an example,
rejected his excess royal wealth
because he foresaw that they provided limited happiness
whereas sufferings still existed”
Monica : Good, thank you. What do the monks think
about family life?
And do you consider family life to be a distraction from your faith?
And do you consider family life to be a distraction from your faith?
Luang Por : Family life is restricted by many factors,
similar to a fish swimming in a tank compared
to a fish swimming in the ocean. While one is constrained in a specific
area, the other
enjoys the boundless space of the sea. In other words,
we may also compare a married couple to caged birds who are not allowed to fly
we may also compare a married couple to caged birds who are not allowed to fly
freely in the
sky. So marriage is a binding of life, and family life is not easy.
There are several things to worry about, and this would obstruct the path towards
There are several things to worry about, and this would obstruct the path towards
Arahantship,
the highest attainment for laypeople in Buddhism. If we wish to attain nirvana, monkhood is the only status
that takes you there. For laypeople,
they can attain
enlightenment up to a certain level, but not the highest level.
Look at Prince Siddharta who was blessed with a beautiful wife and an adorable baby boy. He had never found the utmost satisfaction in life although he had abundant wealth, dignity, power, and servants. Finally, he renounced the world and sought to ordain since he realized that a family life does not encourage the Dhamma attainment. Is that clear to you?
Look at Prince Siddharta who was blessed with a beautiful wife and an adorable baby boy. He had never found the utmost satisfaction in life although he had abundant wealth, dignity, power, and servants. Finally, he renounced the world and sought to ordain since he realized that a family life does not encourage the Dhamma attainment. Is that clear to you?
Monica : It seems as if we in the west only find
happiness when we buy a new car or a big house, and have a lot of material things
around us. I think that you have good
inspired
thinking, so I wonder, what gives a Buddhist life value?
Luang Por : What matters most to Buddhists is Dhamma attainment,
because happiness obtained from external
sources such as family, dignity, power, and fortune are
still limited.
They coexist with life’s obligations. But happiness and joy from Dhamma attainment is boundless and superior to
a household life. Then the
value of life
can be achieved through the attainment of Dhamma that exists within oneself. Having said that, I would also
like to emphasize a basic need for material wealth to a certain degree, but it
will never buy true happiness and the highest satisfaction in life for us. Prince
Siddharta, as an example, rejected his excess royal wealth because he foresaw
that they provided limited happiness whereas sufferings still existed. His solution
was to ordain and seek enlightenment which yielded the highest satisfaction for
himself. Those who possess great wealth but never feel satisfied with their
lives are still unsuccessful. But the Dhamma attainment will lead us to the
highest satisfaction. We will desire for nothing more. We will be able to rely on
ourselves and be independent from all external factors.
Monica : What about the tradition of going to the
temple? Is it the norm that you have to go
to the temple regularly as a Buddhist? Is it acceptable to go just once in a
while, or must you go every Sunday? I am talking about normal Buddhists, not
monks.
Luang Por : Devout Buddhists usually go to the temple to
make merits. However, like in other
religions, non-strict Buddhists do not care to keep this trait. They do
not
make themselves a frequent visitor to temples.
Monica : Do the scriptures teach about organizing
the temple, and the fellowship among other
Buddhists?
Luang Por : There is a teaching that Buddhists should
visit temples regularly in order to learn
from the wise, the sages, and especially the Buddhist monks, who prolong
from the wise, the sages, and especially the Buddhist monks, who prolong
the Lord
Buddha’s teachings. This allows the new generation to understand
the truth of life and to follow the path accordingly, so they can live their lives
the truth of life and to follow the path accordingly, so they can live their lives
righteously
towards the ultimate goal of humankind by correcting their view first.
The Lord Buddha never forced anyone to become a Buddhist or to visit the
The Lord Buddha never forced anyone to become a Buddhist or to visit the
temples, he
just pointed out the many benefits of doing so. This raises the awareness that one should take the best care
of oneself in both private and public aspects by doing only good deeds. Did I
make it clear to you?
Simply
speaking, Buddhists do not force anyone to visit temples but they help to provide a better understanding of Buddhism,
until one is willing to come.
For example, one is given guidance on how to have the right livelihood which would secure for oneself a rebirth only in the wholesome realms.
For example, one is given guidance on how to have the right livelihood which would secure for oneself a rebirth only in the wholesome realms.
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